Ospreys' reserves of strength give Wales boost before Australia Test

The Australians said they intended to use last night's friendly to lay down a marker for their four-Test European tour this month, but the only laying down they did was as a prelude to rolling over and succumbing to the Ospreys' second string.

The tourists fielded an unfamiliar mixture of reserve and fringe players and played like strangers in the night, struggling for the most part against a side containing only two first-team regulars.

There was a period in the first half when, leading by 10 points thanks to the full-back Cameron Shepherd, who kicked two penalties and set up a try for the centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, the Australians looked as if they would take control, but the moment passed quickly.

Shaun Connor's quickly taken penalty on 35 minutes turned the game, resulting in the Australian lock James Horwill receiving a yellow card for killing the ball at the subsequent ruck; the Ospreys' hooker Barry Williams was soon driven over from a lineout to level the score 13-13 at the interval.

The second half provided even less in the way of entertainment for the capacity crowd. The Australians' prop Guy Shepherdson was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for stamping on Paul James and his side regained the lead with Shepherd's third penalty. But their work at the breakdown became increasingly dismal and, as they coughed up possession, the Ospreys gained in confidence. Connor kicked an equalising penalty with 10 minutes to go before Australia's final moment of self-destruction: Stephen Hoiles's clean lineout take was wasted when Mark Gerrard's floated pass was picked off by Richard Mustoe, who sprinted 40 yards to seal victory and confirm that the Wallabies lack strength in depth.